A group of youth environmentalists from Makima Ward in Mbeere Sub-county, Embu, participated in the International Day of Action for Rivers by conducting a cleanup exercise.
The day is observed on March 14 every year and is dedicated to saving, cleaning, and creating awareness about the importance of rivers. The youth under the umbrella of the Activist Movement spent the better part of the day sprucing up the dam shoreline which is a popular picnic site for tourists visiting the game reserve.
They were accompanied by game wardens at the reservoir in collecting and burning floating waste and litter left strewn along the shores of the dam by visitors. The group leader Triza Musyoka said the clean-up was part of their contribution in tackling the pollution of rivers and dams in the protection of aquatic life.
The aim is to educate the public about the importance of responsible waste disposal practices within the community. She emphasized plastic waste was the major contributor of pollution within the dam and has the potential to suffocate and kill wild animals which was a major heritage in the area and income earner.
Another member of the group Boniface Musyoka called on farmers neighboring the dam to ensure they properly dispose bottles used for chemicals so that they may not end up being washed into the dam.
Mwea Game Reserve measuring 42 square kilometers is home to a significant number of wild animals including elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and gazelles.
By Samuel Waititu
